A campaign has been launched to change the name of the Dublin town Ballybough, which translates to ‘poor town.'

The official translation, Bailebocht, is offensive but also incorrect claims Independent councilor Nial Ring.

“The Irish version, translating to English as ‘poor town', is considered offensive by many native Ballyboughers given that the area is, in fact, rich in history, culture and heritage,” Ring said.

He added: “Anyone I have spoken to, when you make them aware of it, they say this is wrong.”

“You might as well put up a big sign saying ‘poor',”  Ring, whose family have lived in Dublin 3 community for generations, told the Evening Herald.

“While the original Irish name was translated to Ballybough, somehow the English translation was retranslated back into Irish incorrectly."

The local politician is trying to get a consensus among his fellow Dublin City councillors to have the translation reviewed by Ordnance Survey Ireland.

He said the correct Irish version “originates from the ancient name of the area, namely mud island”.

“The area would have been soft mudlands and thus Bailebog would have been a correct Irish name and this would have been the origin of the anglicised name of Ballybough,” he stated in a motion to be voted on by Dublin City councillors.”